A Collaborative Approach to Manuscript Revisions and Responses to Reviewer Comments

Abstract

While there are benefits to collaborative research, navigating group dynamics can also bring challenges, particularly for doctoral students and early career academics who are new to the research process. These dynamics extend beyond initial manuscript submission and include processes associated with interpreting reviewer comments, deciding upon and making revisions, and developing clear author response documents through the revision process. Herein, the authors overview one systematic and replicable approach to managing revisions. Steps include (a) read, set aside, and return to the reviewer comments; (b) document initial reactions to comments; (c) collectively review the comments and decide upon direction; (d) coordinate revisions to the manuscript; (e) craft final response statements; and (f) prepare a resubmission cover letter to the editor. Recommendations will be provided for approaching the revision, including how to revise the manuscript to highlight edits, and suggestions for tone and approach, particularly when disagreeing with a reviewer.

Sexual orientation and gender diversity research manuscript writing guide.

“…Given that there is a lot of advice about how to deal with challenging reviewer comments (e.g., assume positive intent on the part of the reviewers, rewrite the reviewer points in our own words to decontextualize them from any potential hypercritical tone [see Richards et al, 2022 as an example]), we address some of the issues that arise frequently in reviews of 2SLGBTQIA+ research. Our goal is to provide some recommendations, tools, and language that can be used with reviewers-some of this is specific to SOGD research, and some will help deal with reviews overall.…”